Roma and Traveling Communities: Perpetual Others

Roma and Traveler communities represent rural France's most marginalized populations. Despite centuries-long presence, they remain constructed as perpetual outsiders, facing systematic discrimination in housing, education, and employment. Their experiences highlight limits to rural diversity acceptance.

"We've traveled these roads for generations," states Miguel Fernandez, representing regional Roma associations. "Our grandparents traded horses at fairs your grandparents attended. Yet we're still treated as foreign invaders rather than fellow citizens with different lifestyles."

Forced sedentarization policies create particular hardships. Designated areas for mobile homes, often located in industrial zones or waste ground, segregate communities while claiming integration. "They want us to stop traveling but provide nowhere decent to stop," Fernandez explains. "Then complain when we park illegally. It's systematic exclusion disguised as policy."

Some Roma families have successfully sedentarized, operating businesses or working in agriculture. The Demeter family runs a successful scrap metal business in the Gard, employing Roma and non-Roma workers. "Economic success doesn't erase prejudice," notes patriarch Stefan Demeter. "We pay taxes, employ locals, contribute to the economy. Still, people cross streets when seeing us."

Children face educational discrimination. "Teachers assume our children will fail," complains mother Maria Santos. "Low expectations become self-fulfilling prophecies. Those who succeed do so despite systems, not because of them."